My 1st band was The Eschelons 1958, we were together 8 years, made 3 records in 61, 62 broke up for 44 years got back together, in 2005 made a CD, got inducted into Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, stayed together 8 more years broke up 7-6-13, got with Dan Hanks, Greg Baronowski, Jim Mathews, John Hoekstra in Familiar Feelings 1966, which Greg and I kept together for 21 years, In 1986 I joined Tom Carney, Tom Bell, Doug Battenfield, Rich James ran sound, Eugene Boyd played Sax for awhile, in GOLD RUSH BAND. And then Tom Bell, Greg Baronowski, John Hoekstra, Doug Battenfield, Victoria Pepper, were a band called Spellbound, only lasted 1 year and then a Band called Chance Encounter, I will just give you the 1st line up. Charlie Fischer, Dan Radamacher, Dale Feutz, John Hoekstra, Don Boyd, Kurt Ograginski, not sure on the spelling on Kurts last name sorry, My last big show with them we opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2001 and I retired a month later at a gig at the Holiday Bar April 19 2001, ran sound for them for almost 4 years and then put The Eschelons back together, Chance Encounter went on till 2011 or 2012. I do miss playing, but.

Dick Beatty’s Obituary:

Beatty, Mr. Richard “Dick” D. Grand Rapids Age 73, passed away Tuesday January 12, 2016 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Gertrude Beatty, and his sister-in-law, Judith Beatty. Surviving are: his children Robert Beatty, Debra (Emil) Kellermann, and Mark (Teri) Beatty; grandchildren Michael Van Dyke, Gerri Van Dyke, Jace Beatty, and Chloe Beatty; brother Ronald Beatty; nephew Warren (Shannon) Beatty; and many, many friends. Dick was honorary chairman of the board of the W. Michigan Hysterical Music Society, and founding member of the Echelons. He was a well-liked bartender that managed many local establishments. He coached women’s softball and loved to bang on the drums all day. He will be deeply missed by many friends and family. Per his wish cremation has taken place. The family will receive visitors Friday 1 to 3 PM and 5 to 7 PM at Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW, with a memorial service following the visitation at 7 PM. Memorial contributions to the American Lung Association will be appreciated. – See more at: http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=richard-d-beatty-dick&pid=177275787&fhid=10099#sthash.j6ljghFo.dpuf

9 Responses to Dick Beatty

Our Chairman of the Board has left us and he will be missed. For those who don’t know, West Michigan Music Hysterical Society website has a meeting every month, at it’s beginning we called it the Board Meeting for the Website, just a simple excuse to have a meeting to get musicians in the area together, Dick was at everyone of those meetings and being so supportive, we coined him “Honorary Chairman of the Board”, a title deserving only to a father figure of that group. Rest in Peace my friend!!!

Hi Doug, After talking with Terry Gardner, I am reminded that I forgot to mention that Ken Nelson was there on the 4th, too. Ken plays bass with a local surf rock band, the Woofers. He also plays string bass in the Hall Street 6. He’s from Chicago, originally. He started on guitar and switched to bass. Sorry I forgot to mention him, but that’s what happens when you get there late: you don’t get credit for being there.

Doug, Larry played at Blythfield in the mid-60’s. He then went back to South Africa until the 80’s when he and his family moved here and became citizens. Both he and Steve Schultz are in one of the groups that I currently play with, called the Hall Street Six (or sometimes just Hall Street). It is a group of mostly doctors who still want to play. The group plays Dixieland, swing, jazz and standards. This shouldn’t be confused with Dick Bereza’s Doc’s of Dixieland, also medical types who play Dixie for charity. Schultz’s son-in-law is John Proulx (from Grand Rapids) who is a jazz pianist and who won a Grammy a couple of years ago. Steve had a scholarship to play jazz in under graduate school but went into oral surgery rather than music.

At my table on November 4th were Larry Broomberg and Steve Schultz. Larry is originally from South Africa. In the mid ’60’s he was a student at Kendell School of Design. He had played in London, UK and on cruse ships before he came here. He worked for Grinell’s and played organ in the restaurant at Blythfield Country Club. Steve is a sax player friend of Larry’s and mine originally from St. Louis who was working on the West Side and decided to join us for lunch to hear about out music scene.

Evans, that was great to hear their background, as we should make pages for them and they can give us their info, pictures and stuff. Did Larry play music here in GR? I think there was like 5-7 drummers there. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to spend more time at your table, but their was way too much going on. Kim and I have finally realized that a smaller group is a little better. There was almost 30 there this time. These meetings keep getting bigger and bigger. Great time with everybody, but not enough time with everybody. Sorry Kenny Gordon, as I didn’t really get to chat with you, like I planned, maybe next time. The girls from the 6 Pak band said they really enjoyed themselves and would like to come again. Everybody is welcome back, as they are fun. Tommy Davis you have good stories and Dale Thomas, I hope your feeling better, Paul Magnan, finally got to meet you and no time to talk. John Sanger your a hoot. The name tags were really a neat idea and very helpful, so Thanks Bruce Snoap for the heads up on that one. I know we have to let the waitress know ahead of time how many are coming. Regards, Doug Taylor

We had our 5th meeting Nov,4th,30 people were there,sitting there Looking at Mary And Cindy from The Six Pak,My drum teacher Evans Devries,talked to Bruce Snoap from the Kingtones,my friend Kenny Gordon,Bob Brock,filling Kim and Doug in on the history of Polish music in the area,talking to my old friend Kieth Seccombe,from Me and Dem Guys and The Dead End Kids,got a chance to sit and Talk to Paul Collins,a very successful artist,Gary Hunt and Bob Becker,radio people from this area, if I had not been involved in the music scene in this area I wouldn’t have ever had the chance to do that,if you get invited or hear about a meeting please contact this site,I’m a very lucky man to have been in a band all these years,if you are in or have been in a band you know what I am talking about THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME DO THIS FOR SO LONG. Dick Beatty.

Mary and Cindy from the 6 Pak (All girls band from the 60s), Dale Thomas, John Sanger, Dick Beatty, Kim Rush, Doug Taylor, Keith Seccombe, Gary Hunt, Bob Becker, Evans DeVries, Terry Gardner, Tommy Davis, Kenny & Beth Gordon, Gary Sironen, Bill Van Ness, Bruce Snoap, Ruth Ann Scott and a host of others, whom I can’t recall at the moment. Paul Collins and Levi Rickert happened to be there and joined Kenny and Beth Gordon at their table. Anybody that knows somebody that was not there and not on this list, please add them to it, in a reply. There was 2 other people I did not know at Evans DeVries table and 1 or 2 possible people I have missed, but the best turn out so far and everybody, seemed to have a good time. Thanks to all of you that showed up!!! Doug Taylor

I have been to all of the meetings of wmmhs,I must say I have talked to some good old friends,I will try to put them here,LIN NOWICKI,BRUCE SNOAP,RON BEATTY,AL BISCHOFF,JAY FORTIER,KENNY GORDON, RUTH ANN SCOTT,LEE VIRGINS,BOB VANSTEE,BOB RIELLY,MICK NOONAN,SUE GRENIER, I know I’m leaving someone off,I’m sorry I am gettin old.A big Thanks to Kim Rush and Doug Taylor for putting this site together,there is a great deal of music history in this area and I am proud to be a part of it.

BOARD MEETINGS was created to simply have a get together every month for local musicians to talk everything music. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Beginning in 2018, we have decided to hold the Hysterical meetings on a bi-monthy basis. We will still send email notices for each meeting, of course. The first meeting in 2018 will be held on Friday, February 9th at 1:00 PM. which was cancelled, because of bad weather. The next Hysterical Website ‘Board Meeting’ will be on Friday, May 11th at Fulton Street Pub and Grill located at 801 West Fulton in Grand Rapids at 1:00 P.M. It is located at the corner of West Fulton and Straight. Bring a friend. The Public is welcome!!! The monthly meetings have been happening since the website launched, here is a peek at some of the first “Board Meetings”. Click below for Time and Place!!!